Julie's Blog

Why So Serious? ("The Dark Knight" Movie Review)

All right, I saw the movie "The Dark Knight" yesterday, so I thought that I would do a movie review for it.  Like my previous movie reviews, I'll try not to spoil the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, while still giving you my opinion.

"The Dark Knight" stars Christian Bale, (the late) Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman.  As you would expect from this cast, the acting fine overall.  Morgan Freeman, of course, does a good job.  Not an exceptional job, but a good job.  Heath Ledger, on the other hand, as you may have heard, does a fabulous job in his role as the Joker.  There has been Oscar talk for him for this role and I think that it is well deserved.  As a matter of fact, I would say that Heath Ledger's performance is probably the best part of the movie.

This is not a happy movie that would be well suited for young kids.  "The Dark Knight" is a dark movie.  There is a reason why Batman is called "The Dark Knight", after all.  This isn't the same Batman from the TV show of my youth.  Personally, that is OKay with me, but it may not be OKay with everyone who sees this movie.

The runtime for this movie is two hours and 32 minutes.  That is my biggest problem with this movie.  It is way too long.  I think that they could have easily cut out at least 30 minutes from this movie.  There were at least a couple of spots where they could have ended this movie that I would have been perfectly fine with.  I am all right with the way that they ended the movie, but I would have been just as satisfied if they ended it at one of the spots earlier, too.

It should also be noted that this movie was the sequel to "Batman Begins".  I did see "Batman Begins", but I don't think that you have to have seen this movie prior to going to "The Dark Knight".

Am I glad that I saw the movie?  Yes, I am.  Was I entertained? Yes, I was.  Will I see this movie again or own it when it comes out on dvd?  No, I won't.  I have no desire at all to see it again or own it.  And that, more than anything should give you a pretty good idea on what I thought of this movie.

So, have you seen "The Dark Knight"?  If so, what did you think of it?  Let me know!

Movie Reviews, Entertainment or Other Stuff?

Sorry I have been gone for so long everyone....I haven't had anything to say for awhile....

I have gotten some feedback from a few people that they particularly enjoy my movie reviews and entertainment stuff.  What do you think?  What would you like to see more of (or less of) from me?  I would really like to know.  Please email me or put a comment below....

In the meantime, if you are interested in a couple of minutes of new fun from the guys over at JibJab, just go here.  I found it very entertaining....

Two New X-Files Movie Trailers!

For all of you X-Files fans out there, a couple of new movie trailers for "The X-Files:  I Want to Believe" have been released.  Both are listed below for your viewing pleasure:

If you can't see the video for the first trailer above, click here to see it on YouTube.

And here is the second trailer:

If you can't see the video for the second trailer above, click here to see it on YouTube.

Six More Quirks

I recently got this tag from my friend DrowseyMonkey.  I am supposed to share six quirks about myself.  I think that I have done this before, so I have decided (taking the idea from DrowseyMonkey) to ask my handsome hubby....Here is what he says are six quirks about myself:

1. Even though I like spaghetti sauce and ketchup, I don't particularly like tomatoes on things.  If the tomatoes are visible, I pick them off.  The same thing goes with onions.

2. I fold and sort my underwear by type.

3. Even when it is really hot outside, often times, my hands are still really cold.

4. I have an "unholy" obsession with Joss Whedon shows and comic books.

5. I have kind of a tiny little head, as judged by my jug-headed husband (his words, not mine!).

6. I am concrete-sequential.  There is a process for everything.  And if there isn't a process for something, I will make one up......and then that is the best way to do it!

Instead of passing this on, I am going to leave this tag open.  If you choose to do it, here are the rules:

1. Link the person(s) who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

Thanks for the tag, DrowseyMonkey!  And I hope that you enjoyed my quirks, according to Jeremy!

The Breast Cancer Website and Xxtraordinary Blogger Award

My friend Shinade at The Painted Veil gave me this fabulous award this week!  It is the Xxtraordinary Blogger award.  Thank you so much, Shinade!

Also, Shinade asked me to pass on this very important message on to you.  If The Breast Cancer Site received 8 million clicks in the month of June, their premiere sponsor, Bare Necessities, will donate $10,000 more for free mammograms!  Please go to The Breast Cancer Site and hit the pink button on a daily basis.  You can even sign up for daily reminders to be sent to your email on the website.

Please spread the word and ask everyone to click, click, click!

Vote for Senator Speedcat "Speedy" Hollydale!

Are you a undecided Independent, a Florida Republican, or tired of the Democratic Spin Doctors?

In a time of skyrocketing gas prices, a recession, and another non-stop war, we need a man in the government who can at least make us laugh every day!

For real comical change in the White House next year, vote for Senator Speedcat “Speedy” Hollydale!

Please help Speedy’s comical campaign by placing a button on your blog as the write-in candidate of the people, for the people, and by the people!

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07. Olga’s cups are overflowing with support for Senator Speedy!
08. Shinade at The Painted Veil is gladly volunteering to help with campaign signs!
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The Latest Election results indicate Senator Speedcat Hollydale is in the lead by a wide margin!!!

Goose egg for Senator McCain, or is that a chicken egg in your campaign, Senator???
02 votes for Senator Obama Heinz of the 57 United States
45 votes for Senator Speedcat Hollydale
1 vote for Senator Hillary who has always worn the pants in the White House with a closed zipper!

Source: Election results 1250 hours May 28, 2008

In early exit polls, Comedy News Network (CNN) is predicting Senator Speedcat Hollydale as the Winner!!!

Update, May 28, 2008: A new Campaign Banner hot off the presses has been released to help Senator Speedy win the race!

Update, 0123 Hours May 29, 2008: Hot off the California GPS (Global Political Spy-cam), Olga the DD Bra has published the Party Platform of Senator Speedcat Hollydale! <— Click it for the Party Ticket!

This could develop into a Presidential Meme for real change in the White House using this simple rule:

Copy this post and link back to Vote For Senator Speedcat “Speedy” Hollydale to show your support and you will be added to the Meme Master list if Technorati sees your secret support!

Please note you may need to post a comment after three days because your link didn’t show up on my WTAR, 208.66.64.132 on the web dial which is Secret Service-speak for Technorati reactions!

For the small Campaign Button, copy this code to your sidebar:
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So How Was the New Indiana Jones Movie?

So my friend Speedcat saw on a previous post of mine that I planned on seeing the new Indiana Jones movie and asked me to do a review of the movie.  I saw it earlier today along with my handsome hubby, Jeremy, and our good friend Bobbi.  So how was it?  Well, let's start with the good.....



It was great seeing Indiana Jones again!  The hat....the whip.....the jacket....the one-liners....It was so good just seeing him again.  Frankly, that was probably the best part of the movie.  As my friend Bobbi put it, it was like seeing an old friend again.  There was lots of action.  Pretty much the whole movie was full of action, actually.  There weren't any slow parts, really.  The effects were really good.  And there were some fabulous stunts in the movie, too.  Harrison Ford looked good, although he is definitely looking old.  He looked like he was in pretty good shape for a guy his age, though.



All of that said, here is the less than good part.....Very predictable.  The storyline was lacking, especially in certain parts of the movie.  I actually had to remind myself a couple of times about "suspension of disbelief".  In other words, I had a really hard time buying into some of things that occurred in the the movie.  Remember, this is a movie for entertainment purposes only.  It doesn't have to be believable, right?  You may have to remind yourself of this during the movie.  I haven't had this particular problem with any of the other Indiana Jones movies.  But for some reason, it was a problem in this one.  The villain in this movie, played by Cate Blanchett, wasn't the best.  But I don't blame that on Cate Blanchett (she is a good actress).  Once again, I blame that on storyline.

All of that being said.....Did I enjoy the movie?  Yes, I did!  Am I glad that I went to see it?  Yes, I am.  Did I enjoy the movie?  Yes, I did.  Would I recommend it to someone else?  Not necessarily.  Go see it only if you can keep in mind (and live with) all of the negatives that I said above.  Would I see this movie knowing everything above?  Yes, I probably would.....I would for a couple of reasons.  First, because I am awfully stubborn.  Second, because it is Indiana Jones, after all.  And it has been a long time since I have seen my old friend on the big screen.

Robert's New Book!

My friend Robert has just published a new book that you definitely need to check out!  It is a book of poetry and I know from his blog that he is great writer.  To check out Robert's new website about his new book, please click here.  And if you want to take a look and buy Robert's new book, here is some more information on it:



Please check out Robert's new website, From The Roads, and/or click here if you can't see the information on the book directly above.

I encourage you to check it out!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

I wanted to do a quick post saying thank you to all of our troops-past and present!  We know that you all of you still serving are working very hard out there.  And for those of you serving out out in the rest of world (outside of the United States), please come home to us soon-safe and sound!


I hope that you are having a great weekend!

David Cook and Indiana Jones

Sorry that I have been busy lately and haven't posted much!  I just wanted to take a couple of quick minutes to share a couple of thoughts.

First, the new Indiana Jones movie is out in theaters as of today!  Woooohoooo!  It hasn't gotten great reviews, but it hasn't gotten bad reviews either (overall).  On the other hand, I am going to see it either way!  Jeremy and I are hoping to see it on Monday.  Please let me know what you think if & when you see it.

Second, David Cook won American Idol!  Yayyyyy!  Both Davids are really good, but I had a preference for David Cook, as you all know from my previous post.  And in honor of his win, here is his performance of "Billy Jean" from a few weeks ago on American Idol.  Enjoy!


(Please click here if you can't see the video above and you will go to the link on YouTube.)